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Monday 9am - 5:30pm Tuesday 9am - 5:30pm Wednesday 9am - 5:30pm Thursday 9am - 5:30pm Friday 9am - 5:30pm Saturday 9am - 5:30pm Sunday 9am - 5:30pm

Honolulu Ocean Safety Department

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Honolulu Ocean Safety Department

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09/12/2026

❤️🌊 Remembering 9/11. Honoring those who serve.

Today, we remember the lives lost and the heroes who stepped forward in the aftermath of September 11, 2001.

The Honolulu Ocean Safety Department is grateful to Hope Worldwide for recognizing our lifeguards and showing their appreciation with mahalo goodie bags delivered to every lifeguard tower around Oʻahu. 🏄‍♂️🌺

This thoughtful gesture means so much to the men and women who dedicate themselves every day to protecting our beaches and keeping our communities safe.

From all of us at Honolulu Ocean Safety — mahalo for remembering, for honoring, and for showing aloha to our lifeguards, first responders, and those that were lost on that fateful day 🤙

Oahu HopeWorldwide Mahalo Aloha FirstResponders

09/10/2026

Hurricane Lowell: Ocean Safety in Action

As Hurricane Lowell passed to the west of Hawaiʻi, dangerous ocean conditions impacted our coastline, bringing powerful surf, strong currents, heavy storm surge and challenging conditions for ocean users.

Honolulu Ocean Safety Department (HOSD) lifeguards and officials as they responded throughout the storm—monitoring conditions, responding to emergencies, and sharing critical ocean safety information with the community.

From news interviews to real-time rescues and emergency response, our team remained vigilant and ready to protect lives when conditions were at their most hazardous.

D1 — Waikīkī / Ala Moana
• 9 rescues
• 3,295 preventions

D2 — Eastside
• 9 rescues
• 685 preventions

D4 — Westside
• 18 rescues
• 2,025 preventions

⚠️ The ocean does not have to look dangerous to be dangerous. During storms and large-swell events, conditions can change rapidly. Please heed posted warnings, follow lifeguard guidance, and know your limits.

Mahalo to our dedicated lifeguards, dispatchers, emergency responders, and HOSD personnel who worked throughout the storm to keep our communities safe.

Stay informed. Stay aware. Stay safe.

⚠️ CURRENT SAFETY NOTICES

🚧 Keawaʻula Beach Park and Tower 50 are closed due to debris blocking access. Please stay clear of these areas until they are reopened and deemed safe.

🟤 The Brown Water Advisory remains in effect for the entire island of Oʻahu. Ocean users are advised to stay out of brown or discolored water, which may contain runoff, debris, bacteria, and other contaminants following heavy rainfall and storm conditions.

09/09/2026

At around 4:30 pm yesterday afternoon, Honolulu Ocean Safety responded to a report of an aggressive shark encounter at China Walls in the Portlock area.

HOSD lifeguards met Albert Westpfal and Zach Sheerer, college friends who would’ve never went surfing that day if they didn’t go together.

Albert Westpfal, 24 yo - “It was stormy surf with big short period swells smashing into the wall. My friend (Zach Sheerer) and I jumped off and paddled quickly to get around the reef. Right as I was about to pass the boils I went over a wave. Just out of habit, I bend my knees and have my feet pointed in the air going up over a wave. Suddenly, I felt a strong impact from beneath and thought I had hit the reef… I heard the crunch of the fiberglass behind me. At that moment I knew what was happening before I even saw it (Albert was being attacked by a 12+ Tiger Shark).

The shark thrashed my board around and flung me off. I ended up on my back… the shark then ditched my board and charged up to me on the surface with its mouth open in between my legs. I was able to anticipate it swimming up on me and started kicking it in the head and punching its nose. It thrashed around and finally backed off. I grabbed my board and paddled to the wall and jetted into the finger and got in from there.

I want to give thanks to my friend Zach who, without even a second of hesitation, paddled right towards me to help. In the moment of life or death you find out who your real friends are and I want him to recognize Zach for having my back. He thought I had been bitten and without a second thought came to the rescue.

I thank God I only have a broken board and some abrasions on my leg from kicking its skin. The first board I ever stood up on was an old Tokoro and I’ve been riding them ever since. All of the stringers on those boards have “Jesus Loves You” written on them. I definitely felt that to be true.”

Zach Sheerer, 24 yo - “My friend Albert and I jumped off the rocks at China walls around 430 pm yesterday. He jumped in first and I followed about 20 ft behind him. As we’re paddling out I saw a glimpse of his board violently move through the air and then my vision was blocked from

08/19/2026

As a special side note during Lifeguard Appreciation Week, we want to give a huge MAHALO NUI LOA to all of our Junior lifeguard instructors who dedicate their time, knowledge, and aloha to teaching and mentoring our keiki. 🌊❤️

Thank you for running this year’s Junior Lifeguard program, inspiring the next generation, and helping our kids build confidence, skills, teamwork, and respect for the ocean.

And what an incredible way to celebrate your hard work—bringing home the State Championship! 🏆🤙

Mahalo for everything you do, in and out of the water. We appreciate you!

Vid: Keale Lemos Christopher Latronic

08/18/2026

Lifeguard Appreciation Week is here!

Last week, Mayor Rick Blangiardi officially proclaimed this week as Lifeguard Appreciation Week in the City and County of Honolulu.

Today, and throughout this week, we celebrate the dedicated men and women of Honolulu Ocean Safety who work every day to protect our beaches, ocean users, residents, and visitors.

Our lifeguards are highly trained ocean professionals, first responders, educators, and ambassadors of our community. Their vigilance, courage, and commitment save lives and help keep our coastline safe.

❤️ Mahalo nui loa to our lifeguards for everything you do! Your dedication does not go unnoticed.

Join us in celebrating and thanking a lifeguard this week!

08/17/2026

As we move through the aftermath of Hurricane/Tropical Storm Lala, we want to recognize the incredible work of our Honolulu Ocean Safety lifeguards, first responders, and emergency partners who worked throughout the storm to help keep our communities safe. Mahalo to everyone who heeded warnings and made safety a priority. 🤙🏽

Now, as the storm’s impacts continue, a Brown Water Advisory has been issued statewide.

Heavy rain and runoff can carry mud, debris, bacteria, and other contaminants into our ocean. Even when the weather improves, water conditions can remain unsafe.

🌊 If the water is brown, turn around.

Please avoid swimming, surfing, fishing, and other ocean activities in brown or discolored water, especially near streams, drainage outlets, and areas affected by runoff.

Our ocean will be here when the water clears. Give it time—and give yourself peace of mind.

If the water is brown, turn around. Stay safe. Stay out. 🌊

08/16/2026

We started the day with lifeguard towers closed and our crews operating in a mobile response posture—patrolling beaches, monitoring conditions, and remaining ready to respond to emergencies.
As weather conditions have improved, we are beginning to reopen lifeguard towers around Oʻahu. However, we continue to encourage everyone to stay home today if possible. Dangerous ocean and weather conditions may still exist, and Brown Water Advisories remain a concern in some areas.
If you do head to the beach:
• Always swim at a guarded beach
• Check conditions before entering the water
• Stay out of brown or murky water
• Call 911 in an emergency
A big mahalo to all of our lifeguards and dispatchers who have worked throughout the weekend to keep our community safe. 🤙🌊
Hawaii

08/14/2026

Mahalo to our Ocean Safety lifeguards for an exceptional job over the past two busy days, conducting 304 rescues and 7,100 preventative measures as an advisory south swell caught many beachgoers off guard.

Your vigilance, professionalism, and quick response continue to save lives.

Stay vigilant—the effects of TS Lala are coming soon, and ocean conditions can change quickly.

Stay safe. Know your limits. Heed lifeguard warnings.

08/08/2026

🌊🏄‍♂️ THE ROAD TO STATE STARTS HERE. 🏄‍♀️🌊
The 2026 Junior Lifeguard State Championships are coming to Ala Moana Beach Park TOMORROW! Saturday, August 8, 2026! 🌺🏆

Junior lifeguards from across Hawaiʻi will come together to compete, represent their islands, and put their ocean skills to the test. Be your best. Represent your island. Live Aloha. Play Safe.

📍 WHERE: Ala Moana Beach Park
📅 WHEN: Saturday, August 8, 2026

⏱️ SCHEDULE
• 8:00–8:45 AM — Registration
• 9:00–9:30 AM — Opening Ceremony
• 9:45 AM–4:00 PM — Competitive Events
(Lunch will be distributed by 12:00 PM)
• 4:30–5:30 PM — Awards

🏅 ORDER OF EVENTS
1️⃣ 1,000-meter Run
2️⃣ 200-meter Swim
3️⃣ Run/Swim/Run — 100m/100m/100m
4️⃣ Iron Guard — 500m Run/200m Swim/200m Paddle
(2 per division and age group)
5️⃣ Paddle Board Relay — 5 per team
6️⃣ Beach Flags — limit 6 per age group per island

👧🏽👦🏽 DIVISIONS: Girls & Boys
Ages 12–14 and 15–17
Age as of August 8, 2026

From the beach to the finish line, it’s all about skill, strength, teamwork, sportsmanship, and ocean safety. 🌊💪

The countdown is on. Hawaiʻi’s next generation of ocean athletes is ready. 🤙🏽

🏆 2026 JUNIOR LIFEGUARD STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS
🌺 ON OʻAHU!

Mahalo to our community partners Duke’s Waikiki, Pacific Motorcycle, and OluKai for supporting Hawaiʻi’s junior lifeguards.

08/04/2026

The 2026 Oʻahu Junior Lifeguard Regional Championships at Ala Moana Beach Park brought together junior lifeguards from across the island for a day of outstanding competition, teamwork, and ocean excellence.
Athletes showcased their skills in swimming, paddling, running, and beach flags events as they competed for the opportunity to advance to the Hawaiʻi State Junior Lifeguard Championships.

Congratulations to all of the competitors for their dedication, sportsmanship, and commitment to water safety. Best of luck to all those who qualified for the State Championships this Saturday, August 8. We look forward to seeing you represent your programs and continue demonstrating the next generation of ocean safety professionals.

Address

3823 Leahi Avenue
Honolulu, HI
96815

Opening Hours

Monday	9am - 5:30pm
Tuesday	9am - 5:30pm
Wednesday	9am - 5:30pm
Thursday	9am - 5:30pm
Friday	9am - 5:30pm
Saturday	9am - 5:30pm
Sunday	9am - 5:30pm

Website

http://emergencyservices.honolulu.gov/

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